What the Springboks need to do to win the 2024 Rugby Championship

Having made a habit of grinding out victories by the barest of margins, the Boks found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard in Santigo del Estero on Saturday night.

The visitors will rue a few missed chances but much credit has to be given to their spirited hosts, who rallied from 17-0 down to earn a bonus point win. Argentina's victory keeps the 2024 Rugby Championship title race alive, with the decider to be played at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on 28 September.

Here, SABC Sport takes a look at the permutations ahead of the final round of the 2024 Rugby Championship.

The tournament format position is decided by, 1: Log Points, 2: 2024 Tournament Wins, 3: Wins v Country Tied With and 4: Points Difference.

The Boks top the table with 19 points, crucially picking up a bonus point in their loss on Saturday. Argentina are second on 14 points, so they need another bonus point win (five points) and to deny the Boks a losing bonus point to tie them on 19 points.

Should that be the case, both the Boks and Pumas would have four wins from six matches (2024 Tournament Wins). The next tiebreaker is Wins v Country Tied With, where Argentina would be 2-0 up, therefore securing them the title. Points Difference will not come into play.

In sum, the Boks need just one log point to be crowned champions, while the Pumas have it all to do to claim what would be their maiden Rugby Championship title.

Meanwhile, at the bottom end of the table, the Wallabies will only be playing for pride as they will be handed the Wooden Spoon for the fourth time in their Rugby Championship history.

Defending champions New Zealand have relinquished their title, but can still finish second on the log if they defeat Australia and the Boks beat Los Pumas.

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